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Would You Play Golf in the Middle of a Minefield?

While the sport typically conjures up thoughts of manicured greens and collared shirts, some rounds of golf are a little more extreme. If you want to raise the stakes – and your adrenaline level – consider visiting Camp Bonifas Golf Club.

A demilitarized zone, Camp Bonifas is 4 km wide and 241 km long zone and divides the Korean peninsula into two parts – North Korea (DPRK) and South Korea (Republic of Korea).

The most dangerous golf course in the world is located in one of the military bases on the South Korean side of the DMZ. The name Camp Bonifas Golf Club originates from the military base itself and, despite some North Korean soldiers viewing players with hostile looks, it seems odd that Americans amuse themselves here by playing golf.

Featuring only one par-3, 192-yard hole, this golf “course” is fenced in with barbed wire but this is not the only thing that makes Camp Bonifas the most dangerous course in the world. This golf course borders on minefields from three sides!

Right in the middle of the golf hole is where landmines used to wait for their victims and, although now cleared of them, still it’s quite threatening because live landmines are scattered throughout the rough! Yes, as soldiers enter the greens, a welcome sign reads “Danger! Do not retrieve balls from the rough; live mine fields”.

Why build a golf course here? I think it was created in order to get on North Koreans’ nerves. It should be injected at this point the reminder that North and South Koreans are not fond of each other. Before the creation of the military base there were a few battles between two Korean peoples in that territory. The area was demilitarized and in 1972 the Americans established a golf club in honor of an American soldier who perished in that village while serving there.

Not only can American servicemen play golf here but also South Korean soldiers, civilians and even tourists. From my point of view it’s an adventure for thrill-seeking golf fans. Even more interesting is that North Koreans can only watch the action and bet on the winner.

If you are a thrill-seeker and devout fan of golf, this Korean location could be part of a perfect vacation for you. Although there were no deaths reported, you’d better keep in mind that this golf course can really kill you because any shot into the rough can set off a mine. Finally it’s up to you to decide whether to play or not on the most dangerous golf course in the world. I wish good luck to those brave golfers who venture here.